U.K. guidelines on the management of variceal haemorrhage in cirrhotic patients

Feasibility of splenectomy with pericardial devascularization in patients with cirrhosis portal hypertension and severe thrombocytopenia

AIM: To evaluate the feasibility of splenectomy with pericardial de-vascularization in patients with intra-hepatic portal hypertension and severe thrombocytopenia.

METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients who had undergone splenectomy with pericardial de-vascularization from September 2009 to September 2014 at the Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. According to the severity of thrombocytopenia, patients were divided into three groups: severe, moderate and mild groups.

RESULTS: A total of 184 patients were included in the analysis; the baseline characteristics of the three groups were matched (P > 0.05). For the severe group, it took 10 days for platelet return to normal range after surgery, and the time was longer than that for the moderate and mild groups. The average drainage volume within 3 days after surgery, intraoperatve blood loss and length of hospital stay in the severe group were 950 mL ± 279 mL, 46.6 g ± 7.4 g and 16.0 d ± 3.5 d, respectively; these values were significantly higher than those in the other two groups (P < 0.01). The bleeding rate and the rates of grade Ⅰ/Ⅱ and grade Ⅲ/Ⅳ portal vein thrombosis in the severe group were 11.62%, 23.26% and 4.65%, respectively, and these value were significantly higher than those in the other two groups (P > 0.05). The cumulative survival rates at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years were 95.3%, 88.4% and 76.7%, respectively, and there were no significant differences in the three groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Through aggressive perioperative management, splenectomy and pericardial de-vascularization may be feasible in patients with portal hypertension and severe thrombocytopenia.

Hyponatraemia induced by terlipressin: a case report and literature review

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

Terlipressin is widely used to treat variceal bleeding and hepatorenal syndrome. We report one case of stubborn hyponatraemia induced by long-term (up to 21 days) therapy with terlipressin and review the side effects of this agent.

CASE SUMMARY

A 41-year-old man with variceal rebleeding experienced a course of stubborn hyponatraemia during a long-term (up to 21 days) therapy with terlipressin. The hyponatraemia could not be corrected until withdrawal of terlipressin. The adverse event is likely due to the stimulation of V1 receptors in the splanchnic area and V2 receptors in the collecting duct.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Given that this reaction has rarely been reported, we discuss the present case with a review of other similar cases. Serum sodium should be monitored intensively to avoid misdiagnosis whenever terlipressin treatment is employed for either gastrointestinal haemorrhage or hepatorenal syndrome.

Management before hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma with cirrhosis

The global distribution of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) varies markedly among regions, and patients in East Asia and Central Africa account for about 80% of all cases. The risk factors are hepatitis B, hepatitis C, alcohol, and etc. The risk of carcinogenesis further increases with progression to hepatic cirrhosis in all liver disorders. Radical treatment of HCC by liver resection without causing liver failure has been established as a safe approach through selection of an appropriate range of resection of the damaged liver. This background indicates that both evaluation of hepatic functional reserve and measures against concomitant diseases such as thrombocytopenia accompanying portal hypertension, prevention of rupture of esophageal varices, reliable control of ascites, and improvement of hypoalbuminemia are important issues in liver resection in patients with hepatic cirrhosis. We review the latest information on perioperative management of liver resection in HCC patients with hepatic cirrhosis.

Coagulopathy in liver disease: a balancing act

Liver disease results in complex alterations of all 3 phases of hemostasis. It is now recognized that hemostasis is rebalanced in chronic liver disease. The fall in clotting factor levels is accompanied by a parallel fall in anticoagulant proteins. High von Willebrand factor levels counteract defects in primary hemostasis. Conventional coagulation tests do not fully reflect the derangement in hemostasis and do not accurately predict the risk of bleeding. Global coagulation assays (thrombin generation, thromboelastography) reflect the interaction between procoagulant factors, anticoagulant factors, platelets, and the fibrinolytic system and show promise for assessing bleeding risk and guiding therapy. These assays are not yet commercially approved or validated. Prevention of bleeding should not be aimed at correcting conventional coagulation tests. Thrombopoietin receptor agonists were shown to increase the platelet count in cirrhotic patients undergoing invasive procedures but may increase the risk of thrombosis. Rebalanced hemostasis in liver disease is precarious and may be tipped toward hemorrhage or thrombosis depending on coexisting circumstantial risk factors. Bacterial infection may impair hemostasis in cirrhosis by triggering the release of endogenous heparinoids. There are no evidence-based guidelines for hemostatic therapy of acute hemorrhage in liver disease. There is currently inadequate evidence to support the use of recombinant FVIIa, prothrombin complex concentrates, or tranexamic acid in acute variceal or other hemorrhage.